Seven Fresh Songs #234
New Music from Hayden Thorpe, Mothica, Damndest, Tanukichan, Andie Loren, Red Ribbon, and Ailsa and the Seahorses
Listen to/watch all seven songs on [YouTube](Link Here). Follow our daily updated playlists on YouTube and Spotify for the 50 latest Song Pick of the Day features or subscribe here to receive them into your mailbox in real-time. Thank you for following us and sharing the excitement.
Hayden Thorpe — He
Following the previous gorgeous single “They,” Hayden Thorpe now released the equally enthralling “He.” Both tracks are in his upcoming album Ness, due September 27th via Domino Records. We came across the eclectic British singer/songwriter in 2021 when he utterly charmed us with “Metafeeling,” and his album Moondust For My Diamond.Aside from his exquisite use of various instruments, it is mainly his vocals that mesmerize me. This is music that is caressing and exciting at the same time!
Asked about the new single, Hayden says:
“I loved the swagger and strut of Rob’s lines[Robert Macfarlane] in the ‘He’ chapter, they immediately brought to mind the cock-sure attitude of a Rolling Stones track. I went about creating a jaunty let-it-all-hang-out sort of song. It’s a maximalist approach — the more I gave it, the greedier it got. Production wise this was probably the biggest undertaking. You know things have gotten broad when you’re miking up a sackbut (a 15th century early trombone) and a spinet (a small 17th century harpsichord). It was a lot of fun working with Propellor’s brass section and the recording became a crash course in studio engineering. The power and drama of orchestral waveforms rubbing up against modern sounds are a haunted house for the ear.
The track begins with a sample of Rob reading. I became really interested in that netherworld between word and song. ’Under Milk Wood’ and ‘Ulysses’ both operate similarly — the lines are almost melodic. I wanted to reveal the innerworkings of that process.”
Listen to “He,” our Song Pick of the Day, and watch the Sam Potter-directed video featuring much of the flora and fauna native to Ness.
Mothica — Another High
McKenzie Ellis, aka Mothica, is honest about her story on her social media channels. Her new album Kissing Death summarizes the stories her fans probably already know. However, she also emphasizes a hopeful message: “When my thoughts get dark, I remind myself that we have an infinite amount of time to ‘not exist.’ For the small sliver I’m here, it’s important to soak up every second and make the most of it,” McKenzie says.
Our Song Pick of the Day, “Another High,” is about the need to keep yourself busy in an unhealthy way. Mothica explains:
“When I stop one habit, I find new vices to indulge in to keep my mind busy. Some are definitely healthier than others. And I always joke that I wish I was addicted to exercising and sunshine instead of the things that are bad for me.”
Kissing Death is now out via Heavy Heart Records, Mothica’s own imprint. Listen to our Song Pick of the Day on Apple Music or Spotify, or let McKenzie show you Europe in the video below:
Damndest — My Heaven
Boston-based post-punk-duo Damndest, comprised of Tim O’Keefe and Michael Taggart,only formed last year and have released three singles, with “My Heaven” being their newest. The melodic track comes with a big dose of wistfulness but doesn’t give in to nostalgia. It stays optimistic and delights with its fresh, moody catchiness.
We asked Michael whether he could tell us a little more about the new song, and he told us:
“My Heaven was written with the intent of explaining the desire for connection and the absolute disconnection between desire and reality. Musically and melodically it was written in minutes, with the creative radar on high. We as a band knew we had something instantly.”
Listen to “My Heaven,” our Song Pick of the Day:
Tanukichan — It Gets Easier (ft. Wisp)
“It Gets Easier” washes over you in about two and a half minutes, leaving you uplifted and energized. The Northern Californian shoegazers Tanukichan (Hannah Van Loon) and Wisp (Natalie Lu) joined forces to create a genre gem for the new Tanukichan EP Circles, out on September 20 via Carpark Records.
Listen to “It Gets Easier,” our Song Pick of the Day, on Apple Music, Spotify, or below on YouTube:
Andie Loren — Hearts Grow Wide
The upbeat “Hearts Grow Wide” by Toronto-based pop singer/songwriter Andie Loren doesn’t wait to conquer your heart by storm! The track is overwhelmingly positive and inescapably infectious. The inspiration for the track derives from modern dating culture and the longing to connect with someone romantically. I loved “Hearts Grow Wide” from the spot and can’t get enough of it! I’m super curious to find out whether Andie will come up with more gems like this.
Listen to “Hearts Grow Wide,” our Song Pick of the Day:
Red Ribbon — Crying My Car
“On this song, I’m really really sad, yet want to makeout in the backseat,” says Emma Danner, aka Red Ribbon, cryptically about her new song “Crying My Car”. But the music and video are clear, and probably most of us remember moments when the privacy of one’s car is the scenery for strong emotions on either side of the spectrum.
Red Ribbon announced her new self-titled follow-up for 2021’s Planet X for November 1 on Danger Collective Records. Watch the self-directed video here:
Ailsa and the Seahorses — Mercury
We’re fans of Ailsa and the Seahorses and are happy to hear new music from the Scottish singer/songwriter based in Berlin. While Ailsa had previously released the vibrant “Hermit,” she now delights with the ultra-chill “Mercury.” Ailsa says that the track is “a song about the world going upside down and being set free inside…” Cheers to that! Stay tuned for Ailsa’s debut album Hermit,out on September 20th.
Listen to “Mercury,” our Song Pick of the Day:
